Since the first cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, there have been challenges recognizing the clinical features of SARS-CoV-2 and identifying therapeutic options. This has been compounded by viral mutations that affect clinical response and primary epidemiological indicators. Multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been identified and classified on the basis of nomenclature implemented by scientific organizations and the World Health Organisation (WHO). A total of five variants of concern (VOCs) have been identified to date. The present study aimed to analyse clinical and epidemiological features of each variant. Based on these characteristics, predictions were made about potential future evolution. Considering the time and location of SARS-CoV-2 VOC emergence, it was hypothesised that mutations were not due to pressure caused by the vaccines introduced in December 2020 but were dependent on natural characteristics of the virus. In the process of adapting to the human body, SARS-CoV-2 is expected to undergo evolution to become more contagious but less deadly. SARS-CoV-2 was hypothesized to continue spread through isolated epidemic outbreaks due to the unimmunized population, mostly unvaccinated children and adults, and for coronaviruses to continue to present a public health problem. Contents 1. Introduction 2. SARS-CoV-2 variant gene mutations and impact of clinical features on disease evolution 3. Discussion 4. Limitations

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a medical condition which is primarily characterized by airway inflammation and destruction of the pulmonary parenchyma. Besides the well-known physical comorbidities, psychological comorbidities such as anxiety have been found to be also increased in this category of patients. Our main three hypotheses referred to the biochemical markers of COPD (erythrocyte sedimentation rate- ESR, total serum protein and forced expiratory volume in the first second- FEV1) and their power of predicting the level of anxiety in this population. The study was conducted on 150 patients suffering from COPD. Based on their anxiety level, they were distributed in 2 groups: high anxiety and low anxiety. The results showed statistical significant differences between the two experimental groups regarding all three of our dependent variables, validating all of our three hypotheses. More specific, the patients in the high anxiety group had a significantly lower mean of FEV1 compared to low anxiety group (M = 46.01 vs. M = 41.47; p = 0.042). Also, patients from the high anxiety group had a significantly higher mean of total serum proteins compared to low anxiety group (M = 9.2 vs. M = 8.6; p = 0.002). And lastly, patients with high anxiety symptoms had a higher mean of ESR compared to those with low anxiety symptoms (M = 27.54 vs. M = 22.8; p = 0.045). Therefore, these biochemical markers commonly used in the diagnosing of COPD may be also used in predicting the severity of anxiety symptoms in this at risk group of patients.

Improvements in early detection of cancer have led to an important decrease in mortality rates of cancer. Given the increased incidence rates and decreased mortality rates, the number of patients surviving cancer is rapidly increasing. Although cancer patients face many physical and psychological symptoms, they also continue to engage in poor health behaviors at rates similar to those of the general-healthy population. The prime example of such unhealthy behavior is smoking. The reports show that smoking rates at the time of diagnosis of cancer vary from 10% to 95%. Our study analyzed how the smoking status influenced the outcome of chemotherapy of 249 patients suffering from various forms of cancer. Our statistical analysis showed that patients who smoked had a significant different response to chemotherapy compared to their nonsmoking peers. This meant that in our sample of 149 cancer suffering patients, individuals who did not smoke had a significant better chance of a partial positive response after chemotherapy compared to patients who smoked regularly. Therefore, tobacco smoking is an adverse prognostic factor associated with a resistance to chemotherapy. These results are important given the fact that cancer patients already face a combination of unpleasant symptoms related to their disease but also from the side effects of their treatment. Uncovering the exact mechanisms through which smoking is affecting the outcome of chemotherapy may help in increasing the quality of life, the symptom burden or the final outcome of chemotherapy.

No abstract

No abstract